Everybody loves the 'stache

Red Wings assistant coach Paul MacLean spent two days with the Stanley Cup in his hometown of Antigonish, Nova Scotia, and his second day with Stanley involved several charitable events, including one that made sure to capitalize upon MacLean's superb moustache:

September 24, Hockey Hall of Fame: On Wednesday [August] 20th, Paul shared the Stanley Cup with his community. He stopped first at St. Martha's Regional Hospital, visiting with the children. Then, it was over to the cancer resource centre and then on to the R.K. MacDonald Nursing Home. Accompanying Paul and the Stanley Cup were members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

At 1:00, the Stanley Cup arrived with MacLean at the Antigonish Arena for a civic ceremony and a signing opportunity for the fans. Two hours was slotted for the time at the rink, but Paul ended up staying until 5:45, making certain that everyone who wanted a picture with the Stanley Cup got one. The festivities were also attended by, among others, Nova Scotia Premier Rodney MacDonald.

Paul was raising money for Antigonish's cancer centre, and was selling special t-shirts, featuring a cartoon of him with his well-known moustache. So popular were the shirts that they sold out almost immediately, and the poor printer had to make up more...on three separate occasions!

That evening, Paul took the Stanley Cup to Piper's Pub, which was packed tighter than sardines before the arrival. The pub also had created its own special t-shirt for the occasion, featuring a bagpiper holding the Cup. Surprise! They, too, sold out! While a local band rocked the place, fans were able to get photographs with the Stanley Cup, their donations again going to the community's cancer centre.

Back at his place, puck-loving Paul was peckish, and pleaded for pizza. "We've gotta get a pizza from Wheel Pizza," he said. "It's the best pizza place around." No one denied, as the cheese dropped from their fingers.

It had been an exhausting but totally satisfying day for Paul MacLean. "It feels awesome," he exclaimed. "There's nothing like it! You're around the people you care about an awful lot -- your family and lots of friends in the community. It feels really good to be able to bring the Stanley Cup home."